Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee counties agree to reapply for grant funding for Belvue Bridge replacement

Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee County commissioners have tentatively agreed to resubmit for a grant to repair the deteriorating Belvue Bridge which crosses the Kansas River.

The move comes after a federal RAISE grant was denied for the project earlier this year. Pottawatomie County Engineer Nathan Bergman says after consulting with the designers of the replacement structure, it was determined the bridge could only withstand one more budget cycle before it would ultimately need to be closed.

Both counties agreed to increase match contributions, to improve the chances of grants being awarded for the estimated $11 million grant. Pottawatomie County is on the hook for the larger portion. Pottawatomie County Commissioner Pat Weixelman suggested putting specifications on the bridge to ensure it will last through the grant cycle.

Pottawatomie County Commissioner Dee McKee also supported moving forward with reapplying for grants.

Commission Chair Greg Riat also asked Wabaunsee County commissioners to consider going potentially up to a 50 percent match on the grant the counties would agree to apply for.

Wabaunsee County commissioners  all agreed to consider that once they received cost estimates next month.

The project is currently in design phase which, expected to wrap up in January.  Bergman spoke to a couple potential timelines for how soon bids could come in, and eventual construction.

Wabaunsee County Commissioner Nancy Hier suggested it might be in both county’s best interest to proceed with funding bridge replacements even if no grant is awarded in 2022, based on the use it provides to rural farmers around the Kansas River.

An extended closure would require residents who use that bridge frequently to go to Wamego or Maple Hill as an alternate route.